About Life in Japan

日本では、新しい年の始まりに 神社へ行く「初詣（はつもうで）」 という習慣があります。神社は日本の伝統的な「祈りの場所」で、1年のしあわせや健康をお祈りするために多くの人が訪れます。ここでは、初詣の楽しみ方や神社での作法をやさしく紹介しますね。【初詣とは？】初詣は、年があけて最初に神社へ行

Japan has four distinct seasons, and it gets very cold in the winter. For this reason, there are many words in Japanese to express "coldness." Today, I'd like to introduce some interesting ways to express coldness in Japanese. You'll get a sense of the "detailed sense" of Japanese people, and just reading about it will be fun! [It's cold!] A short phrase that is very commonly used in everyday conversation

In Japan, there is not only the four seasons, but also the concept of the "24 solar terms" which divide the year into 24 periods based on the movement of the sun. Among these are the "summer solstice", the longest day in summer, and the "winter solstice", the shortest day in winter. [What is the winter solstice?] The winter solstice is the day when the day is shortest and the night is longest in the year.

Today, we will introduce the Japanese word "onomatopoeia," a theme perfect for winter. Onomatopoeia is a Japanese expression that expresses sounds or feelings with "sound-like words." In Japanese, there are many "onomatopoeia" that directly express sounds and sensations. In particular, winter is the season when we "feel the changes in nature with our whole body," such as the cold, snow, and wind, so winter

In my last blog, I wrote about the theme, "Let's explore the roots of words! How did Japanese idioms come about?" This time, I would like to write about proverbs. Have you ever heard of the word "proverbs"? "Proverbs" are short phrases that have been passed down in Japan since ancient times, and they are used as "wisdom for daily life" or "people's wisdom."

Have you ever heard of the word "idiom"? An idiom is an expression that is used in a figurative sense that is different from the original meaning of the word. For example, "to be smart," "to act like oneself," and "to cut corners" are expressions that we often hear in our daily lives. However, if you think about it, "to cut one's head" is a little

Do you know what a "kotatsu" is? A kotatsu is a warm table that is essential in the Japanese winter. Many Japanese households bring out a kotatsu when the cold season arrives. It's like having a little sun in your home, and it warms your heart. [What is a kotatsu?] A kotatsu has a heater underneath the table,

Have you ever seen a large pot of steam rising from it next to the cash register at a Japanese convenience store during the cold season? It contains a variety of foods, including daikon radish, eggs, konjac, and chikuwa. This is the classic Japanese winter dish, "Oden." [What is Oden?] Oden is made by slowly simmering fish in dashi (fish and kelp soup).

Do you know about the traditional Japanese event called "Shichigosan"? Every year around November 15th, small children in Japan dress up in kimonos and visit shrines. It is a day to give thanks to the gods for the children's growth and pray for their future health and happiness. [What kind of event is Shichigosan?] "Shichigosan" is a traditional Japanese event for children aged 7, 5, and 3.

Do you know what flowers bloom in autumn in Japan? In Japan, many beautiful flowers can be seen from September to October. Among them, the flowers that represent autumn are "cosmos" and "cluster spider lilies." [Cosmos - Gentle flowers swaying in the autumn sky] Cosmos come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, red, and orange.